Birthday party a huge success

Yesterday, Feb. 13, would have been Grant Wood’s 122nd birthday. There is little information out there as to how he celebrated when alive, but the American Gothic House Center and volunteers did him justice last Saturday with their tribute at the KD Center in Eldon.

Close to 75 Grant Wood supporters and enthusiasts stopped by the KD Center to sample one (or more) of 10 delicious soups made by volunteers. Along with soup, there was homemade bread, a host of desserts also made by volunteers and iced tea, lemonade or coffee. (Yum! Yum! As the cast of Hee Haw would say when Grandpa Jones announced the menu.)

To feed the birthday party revelers (this may be too strong of word as most in attendance were on their best behavior) volunteers were kept busy serving up soup, keeping the dessert table stocked and pouring drinks. At times all the tables in the Center were full with people sitting around visiting and sharing personal stories about Grant Wood. (I might be stretching the truth on this last comment, but they were doing quite a bit of talking.)

For entertainment the Indian Hills Community College Chamber Singers were on hand and gave a fine performance sans “Happy Birthday To You.” True to the nature of college students never passing up a free meal they all stuck around for a bowl of soup and dessert. Thanks to Laura Wiebe, director of the IHCC Chamber Singers, for making arrangements to bring her students to Eldon for the party.

Throughout the afternoon door prizes were awarded picked via an elaborate system of playing cards. The door prizes were donated by local businesses: Chommy’s, Ostrander Flowers and Greenhouses, The Lucky Rooster Coffee House, D’s Eldon Y Company and Red Rooster Collectibles.

The party ended with a drawing for the framed American Gothic House print by local photographer Chris Abigt. This unique print of American Gothic was framed by M&J Art and Frame Gallery with reclaimed wood and glass from the American Gothic House. Dave C. of Ottumwa was the winner of the print. He bought the ticket when attending the Eagle Watch at Bridge View Center in January.

Besides good food and conversation the event was productive in the fiscal department as over $1,000 was raised between the raffle tickets for the American Gothic House print and free will donations. Money raised from the raffle will be put toward the American Gothic House Center Endowment Fund, while the money raised from donations will be used to buy supplies for the Easter Egg Roll on March 30, as well as the Halloween Party and Gingerbread House building later in the year.

Next week: Look to this space for information on the upcoming Grant Wood Bus Trip on Saturday, April 27.

Till next time.
Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

It’s birthday party time at the American Gothic House

In case anyone missed the numerous blog notes, Facebook posts or, for those who live close to Eldon, the posters, this Saturday, Feb. 9, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the American Gothic House Center is hosting a birthday party for Grant Wood—what would have been his 122nd—perhaps the only one of its kind anywhere. It will be held at the KD Center in Eldon.

Grant DeVolson Wood was born on a farm four miles east of Anamosa, Iowa on Feb. 13, 1891. It was a Friday. He was the second child of four of Francis Maryville and Hattie DeEtte Weaver Wood and joined his brother Fran
k who was born in 1887. Another brother, John, was born in 1893 and then a sister, Nan, (short for Nancy) came along in 1899. Given the time and place—an Iowa farmstead in the late 19th century—it was a tight fit for the six of them but as most did in rural Iowa the family made do.

As with any month in any given year there are notable dates—many involving a "first" of some sort—and February of 1891 is no different. Besides Wood's birth (a first, especially for Grant Wood), there were others, some noteworthy, others not so much, unless you are partial to vegetables and buffalo.

Earlier that month and a half of continent away, on Feb. 6, the now-famous Dalton Gang perhaps should have taken a hint when their first train robbery, near Alila, Calif., went awry and three of the brothers, Bob, Grat, and Bill rode off empty handed. Evidently their luck picked up later—at least for a while.

A couple days after Wood was born, on Feb. 15, was another notable, to some anyway, occasion as the first shipment of asparagus arrived in San Francisco (I have no idea from where). Young children have been ecstatic ever since.

Later in the month and also in San Francisco, on Feb. 26, the first buffalo was purchased for the Golden Gate Park. And for those who follow such things on the 28th Oscar Grunden set the world ice skating record in the 500m (50.8 seconds).
In a nod to custom, for those who were at least one-year-old on that day, or any day in 1891, “Happy Birthday” wasn't sung around the table, as the now-traditional song was written in 1893. The melody and lyrics were written by two sisters - Mildred J. Hill (born 1859) and Patty Smith Hill (born 1868). The melody was composed by Mildred and the lyrics were written by Patty, but it was originally for a classroom greeting song titled "Good Morning to All." It wasn’t until the 1920s the lyrics were changed to what we know today. Given that, Wood could have been in his mid-30s before anyone sang it in his honor.
There is no guarantee it will be sung this Saturday but Wood would overlook it given the soups (after all it isn't called the Grant Wood Birthday Soup Smorgasbord for nothing) that will be served up. Minestrone, chicken and wild rice, cheddar potato, seafood gumbo, bean soup, chili, vegetable beef, taco and beef tortellini, all prepared by volunteers, will grace the table. Alongside the soups will be fresh bread and numerous cakes with plenty of coffee, iced tea, lemonade and water to wash it all down with. All this for only a donation. What a deal.

“Happy Birthday” might not be heard but there will no shortage of music as the Indian Hills Community College Chamber Singers will perform in concert at noon. As with any performance by the superb vocalists from IHCC, it will be one not to miss.

To wind up the party, at 1 p.m., there will be a drawing for the American Gothic House Print by local photographer Chris Abigt. This unique print of the American Gothic House is framed by M&J Art and Frame Gallery in Ottumwa with reclaimed wood and glass from the porch. Ticket prices for the print are $1 or six for $5 and can be purchased at the center, online until 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8 at www.AmericanGothicHouse.net or in person at the birthday party on Saturday.

So if you have some free time on Saturday swing by the KD Center—located just east of the railroad depot—for some good food, music and a chance to win a one of a kind framed print. Hope to see you there.

Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

American Gothic couple is ‘Iowa Stubborn’

As mentioned here before, Steven Biel, in his book "American Gothic" hints the first exposure for many of a certain age to American Gothic was in a parody, specifically the ending credits in Green Acres when Oliver Wendell Douglas (Eddie Albert) sang to his wife, Lisa (Eva Gabor), “You are my wife.” To which she responds, “Goodbye city life.” If not that scene then it was the image of the stoic pair on a on a box of cornflakes that graced many tables in the 1960s.

Now I am of the age to remember that scene, as well as the corn flake box, and after reading Biel’s book, I had to agree one of the two many have been my first exposure also. But upon further reflection, my first time, or at least the most memorable, may have been in the 1962 movie the Music Man starring Robert Preston and Shirley Jones.

If anyone remembers, in the opening scene Prof. Harold Hill (Preston) comes to River City, Iowa and starts asking questions about the town in general, what townsfolk do for fun, etc. Hill is met with less than outstretched arms, as all are a bit way of a stranger asking questions. Finally, after continuously being met with indifference, the townsfolk break into song (after all it is a musical) in an attempt to explain to Hill their unresponsive attitude. The song is “Iowa Stubborn.”

The lyrics explain that Iowans, by nature, have a “chip-on-the-shoulder attitude/ we’ve never been without/ that we recall” and that Iowans are so “by gone stubborn/ we could stand touchin’ noses/ for a week at a time/ and never see eye-to-eye.” The song attest to Iowan’s stoic and indifferent demeanor but also hints at something beneath the flinty exterior, of an empathy lying hidden to the outsider: “but we’ll give you are shirt/ and a back to go with it/ if you crops should happen to die.” Which does sum up Iowans quite well: stoic, uncaring and cold, unless you are having a rough patch and then they (we) are more than willing to pitch in and help.

In the final scene of the number workmen are carrying the frame from the shipping box the town’s first pool table arrived in and ironically frames a couple resembling the man and woman in American Gothic. The farmer and his wife sum up how the townspeople, and by extension all Iowans, feel toward strangers: “so, what the heck, you’re welcome/ glad to have you with us/ even though we may not ever mention it again.”  In other words, you are here but not that important, so get over it.

Whoever thought to parody American Gothic for this scene obviously spent some time studying the painting, as the man and wife appear to embody this attitude, as opposed to earlier interpretations that portrayed the couple as resolute, determined folks that embodied Iowa spirit and values. Which I am sure is accurate but indifference, stubbornness, wariness of strangers or anything new can also be seen in their faces—as in many Iowans. In classic parody fashion something familiar is bent just a bit to provide another, perhaps more accurate, meaning. Click here to view the entire scene to see if you agree.

Perhaps because it was one of my first exposures to a musical, the Music Man has stuck with me all these years and I have revisited it many times. Many scenes are etched in my memory including “One Grecian Urn” that haunted me in a literary theories class in college. The subject was John Keats poem, “Ode to a Grecian Urn.” Throughout the class every time the professor approached Keats poem (which still makes little sense to me) the mental image of Eulalie Mackechne Shinn, wife of Mayor Shinn and played by Hermione Gingold, along with her ladies aid club, doing their “One Grecian Urn” sketch crowded out any serious study.  I passed the class but with no help from the Music Man.

My favorite scene—and a persistent fantasy—is when Hill is attempting to woo the librarian, Marian, played by Shirley Jones, by singing “Marian the Librarian.” For my entire life I have longed to enter a library and discover the librarian’s name is Marian. At that time I would launch into a spirited chorus of: “what can I do, my dear, to catch your ear/ I love you madly, madly madam librarian, Marian.” Ah, the stuff of dreams.

Till next time.


Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

To find art, look to the soldiers of the 34th ID

Conventionally speaking, art is found in museums or galleries, normally quiet places frequented by people who have an interest in these things—and attend voluntarily. Rarely is it found in the fog of battle amongst the cacophony, the bloodshed and the trauma that is part and parcel of combat. But this is exactly the case since with one of the most decorated divisions in the United States Army—the 34th Infantry Division, or the “Red Bulls.”

Even those who have never served in the military are likely aware of the shoulder patches worn by soldiers. Every soldier has, on his or her left sleeve, their designated unit patch. Each unit patch is unique in its own right and signifies much more than a unit designation; it is a symbol of solidarity—and pride.

For over 20 years I too wore a shoulder patch and wore it proudly. For the soldiers who served in combat another patch—rarely the same one—is authorized for wear on the right sleeve. This is a permanent award intended to be worn as long as the uniform is, as opposed to the left sleeve insignia that changes dependent on the unit. I say with pride that my wife and son wear a right shoulder patch, attesting to their service in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now back to the Red Bulls.

The 34th Infantry Division, Army National Guard, made up of soldiers from Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas was organized in 1917 for World War I and reported to Camp Cody, New Mexico for training. Needing a unit designation insignia a contest was created to design a division patch.

Private First Class Marvin Cone, Cedar Rapids native and close friend of Grant Wood, was serving at Camp Cody in 1917 as a member of the 34th ID and entered the contest. He designed an insignia based on the shape of a Mexican water flask (Olla) with a bovine’s skull at the center, a symbol of the numerous herds of cattle seen by the soldiers around Camp Cody. Cone’s submission won the contest and became the official unit insignia of the 34th Infantry Division, consequently worn by thousands of soldiers heading to war.

Originally nicknamed the “Sandstorm Division” because of the constant presence of sand in the uniforms while in the New Mexican desert, the unit arrived too late in Europe to see any action. All that changed in World War II when the division was activated once more in support of world war.

The 34th ID was the first U.S. division shipped overseas and arrived in North Africa on Nov. 8, 1942. The division moved across the Sahara engaging German troops and eventually prevailing in May 1943. It was then deployed to Italy where fighting continued until the end of the war. The division is credited with serving more consecutive days in combat—517—than any other division in the European Theater. It was in Europe where it gained the “Red Bull” designation as German soldiers in Italy referred to the American soldiers who wore the patch as “Red Devils” or Red Bulls” (http://www.militaryvetshop.com/History/34thInfantryDivision.html) .

The division was deactivated after the war but soon reactivated as a National Guard division with soldiers primarily from Iowa and Minnesota. It still exists today. In the past decade, the division has served the country during the War on Terror and has the distinction (once again) of being the longest-serving National Guard unit in Iraq, deploying in March of 2006 and serving for 22 months, 16 in country.

Today, Cone’s design is proudly worn by 11,000-plus soldiers serving in the 34th. For many it is authorized for wear on both the left and right sleeve as the unit served and fought in a combat zone. This number does not include the thousands of former soldiers who wore the patch, serving with distinction in the division from World War I onward.

Marvin Cone and Grant Wood, besides being boyhood friends, remained lifelong colleagues, as they studied in France together and later formed the Stone City Art Colony in 1932. Cone, an artist in his own right, has works displayed in various locations across the United States, as well as at Coe College in Cedar Rapids where he served as art department head until 1960. He died in 1965 and is buried at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cedar Rapids.

Art is timeless and enduring. As Wood’s art forever lives in galleries and museums, Cone’s endures on the shoulders of proud soldiers and veterans sent off to serve their country, for almost a century, often in harm’s way.

Upcoming events

There has been an addition to the Grant Wood Birthday Soup Smorgasbord on Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the KD Center in Eldon as the Indian Hills Community College Chamber Singers will be performing. As with any performance by the superb vocalists from IHCC, the performance will be one not to miss.

Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

A little knowledge can be life-changing

I am a fan of arcane knowledge, virtually worthless information that serves little purpose other than to prove to others you have way too much time on your hands. For instance, what does the “S” stand for in Ulysses S. Grant? A common belief is it stands for “Simpson,” but actually it doesn’t represent anything. His real name was Hiram Ulysses Grant. He changed it because he didn't want to enter West Point with initials like H.U.G. (would you?). He was named Hiram, after his grandfather, and Ulysses, after the hero in Greek mythology. Feel free to us this at your next party if you want.

Now once in a while useless information can come in handy or, in extreme cases, put money in your pocket. As far as the former, it is good to know how to figure square footage and convert to square yardage when buying carpet, as floors are usually measured in square feet and carpet is sold in square yards (there is nine square feet in a square yard). Or have a rudimentary understanding of quantum physics when watching The Big Bang Theory. As far as arcane, obscure facts putting money in your pocket it doesn’t seem likely, however, that wasn’t the case with Nancy Christy.

Christy, in December of 2008, was facing one last question before walking away with a cool $1 million as a contestant on the game show Who Wants to be a Millionaire?  Anyone familiar with the show knows the tension during the final question. Meredith’s voice lowers a notch and her brow furrows lending gravity to the moment. In the background a timpani can be heard along with a touch of deep brass; the symphony equivalent of a drum roll. The contestant is nervous and apprehensive wondering if the final question will be something familiar. Is so, a millionaire is born. If not, sorry Charlie.

With her final question Christy was no different. The tension was thick, the apprehension palpable. Then it came: “Who did Grant Wood use as a model for the farmer in his classic painting American Gothic.” As soon as the question was asked, the tension drained from Christy’s face. In another venue, and not on national television, Christy might have stood up, threw her fist in the air and said “bring it on” (I have done this when playing Trivial Pursuit). But she didn’t. Rather, maintaining her decorum, she listened patiently while Meredith read her the choices: “Traveling Salesman, Local Sheriff, His Dentist or His Butcher.”

Prior to answering, Christy—ready to burst—explained she had worked in the theatre at one time and opened a show dressed as Nan, hinting she had this one in the bag. Then answered correctly: “His Dentist.” At that moment, the confetti dropped and Meredith, shedding her solemn demeanor, jubilantly announced Christy was the first woman $1 million winner. All because at one time in her life she took a bit more than a passing interest in American Gothic.

Since her big win, Christy has become a collector of Grant Wood memorabilia (and why not?). She has made a pilgrimage to the Chicago Art Institute to view the original American Gothic as well as visited here at the Center (picture to right). She has said for obvious reasons American Gothic changed her life. All because she knew an arcane, obscure bit of information having little impact on the universe. But significantly impacted her world.
Given this, a visit to the American Gothic House Center or a Google search for Grant Wood or American Gothic could turn a mental note into much more. Imagine the possibilities.

Click here to view Nancy Christy’s winning answer: Nancy Christy

One last piece of worthless information. For those who watch Who Wants to be a Millionaire? Meredith is only known by her first name, there is no mention of a surname as if she is just “Meredith” like Ghandi, Michaelangelo or Beyonce. Meredith does have a last name and it is Vieira. Never know it might win you some money someday. I doubt it, but then again...

Upcoming events

Winter has a tendency to be a bit slow here at the American Gothic House Center and events are sparse but a big one is on the horizon: Grant Wood’s Birthday Soup Smorgasbord on Feb. 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the KD Center in Eldon. Besides homemade soup and birthday cake there will be door prizes and the winner of the American Gothic House print by Chris Abigt will be drawn. So mark your calendar.

Click here to buy raffle tickets for original print framed with original porch boards from the American Gothic House: Raffle Tickets


Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

Want your spirits raised? Don’t read this

This smacks of a very poor cliché but January could be viewed, not only as the start of a new year, but the beginning of the rest of your life. A life that begins with the dreariest month of the year. Not only is the weather inhospitable, but in the aftermath of the Christmas season there is little to look forward to. Other than the rest of your life of course.

Since I am a novice scholar on Grant Wood, I use Google extensively to find a connection between Wood and whatever the subject of the week is. This time his painting, January, immediately popped up along with a narrative from somebody at the Cleveland Museum of Art where the painting is on display. As with the month, it doesn’t do much for the mood. An excerpt of the narrative follows:

“As winter blows outside the windows, my thoughts turn to the painting in our collection that perfectly encapsulates the solitude of mid-western life in this, the bleakest of months… The bleak subject matter of the painting, a frozen snowy landscape of corn shocks, dotted in the foreground with rabbit tracks trailing off, parallels the difficult final years of the artist’s life. At the time he painted the piece, Wood had just finished his seventh year at the University of Iowa. On sabbatical, recently divorced, and in failing health, Wood painted a desperate scene of the harsh truth of nature, exposed in almost geometrical precision on the canvas, row after row.”

It can be assumed that Wood had many good years of his life but 1941—the year he completed the painting—wasn’t going to be one of them. At least according to this entry. The author further explains “within several months, exploratory surgery found inoperable cancer. The artist prepared for the end of his life, while finishing up the remaining work in his studio. As he told his doctor, ‘I’ve still got a lot of pictures I want to paint.’”

Take a moment, if you will, to access the painting and the full narrative: Cleveland Museum of Art.

As can be seen the painting is, in fact, very desolate, and to humanize it, lonely. Perhaps Wood intended it to be. According to the Art Institute Images from Cartography Associates Library it was “Painted at a time when Wood and his work were under attack at the University of Iowa, the piece explores opposing themes of shelter and oblivion.”

During this time Wood and the University of Iowa were at a low point in their relationship. It can be understood why Wood believed he was isolated since other professionals at the university questioned his credentials to teach, as he did not hold a Masters or a Doctorate degree. His life-long ambition to share art with students was in jeopardy. Coupled with a failed marriage and obvious declining health at a relatively young age reason dictates these emotions would reflect in his art.

Upon inspection, the painting is indeed bleak. The corn shocks are lined up in seemingly endless symmetrical rows disappearing only at the horizon. January can be considered one of the longest months of the year, and the corn shocks hint to this. After all it is 31 days long, a length shared by only five other months. This doesn’t make it the longest, but considering the time of year it falls where the weather, other than a warm-up for a few days, seems to drag on, one dreary, cold, short day after another.

It is reported January sold immediately, bought by film producer King Vidor. The Cleveland Museum of Art notes that Vidor remarked about the painting: “In Grant Wood’s ‘January’ I have the whole feeling of America right in my own dining room.”

The remark is a bit hard for me to unpack. If January is so bleak, which it is, both the month and the painting, why would Vidor believe it represented “the whole feeling of America?” Are we all this down in January? It is possible considering the baggage that comes with the month—the post-Christmas blues, the resolutions intended to improve but the fact one needs made is an indication of a shortcoming, tax season on the horizon, and, of course, the seemingly endless depressing weather. With Wood facing all that, as well as his personal luggage weighting him down, it is no wonder that January reflects such a forlorn landscape.

Feel any better? I thought not.

If you are still reading after those depressing thoughts, there is a bright spot in the month and it will be this Saturday, Jan. 12 at Bridge View Center where, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. the annual Eagle Watch will be in full swing.

The Eagle Watch features a program, displays, a hike along the Des Moines River and eagle watching, with spectacular views of eagles flying and feeding on the Des Moines River from both inside and outside Bridge View.

Besides the eagles the staff at the American Gothic House Center will be inside Bridge View (where it is warm) manning a booth where, in case you don’t get a photograph of an eagle, the American Gothic face cutout will be set up and ready for pictures. Coloring sheets will also be on hand, along with the current calendar of events and raffle tickets for the American Gothic House print.

Till next time.


Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

Much in store for the New Year

Here we are in another year, 2013 to be exact, in case you forgot to buy a calendar. Which, by the way, I did and only realized it last night when I glanced at the calendar in the kitchen where December, with its marked dates of where to go and what to do, glared back at me. I guess a new calendar goes on my “to do” list.

Speaking of things to do, I have a tendency to Google quotes upon occasion, for a couple of reasons. The first is to shed light on a subject that I have on my mind, and the second is reinforce my belief there are a lot of people out there smarter than me. Anyway, with a new year on my mind I had a desire to find out what other folks have said about it.

Predictably, there are many thoughts on the subject, some funny, some introspective, many very cynical. In the latter category, my favorites are from Mark Twain, which I will share a couple later. But the one that best fit today’s post was a quote from syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman:

“We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives...not looking for flaws, but for potential.”

That is what we here at the Center did when planning the events for the year. What went wrong wasn’t given much time, but rather what could be offered to better inform, educate, and yes, entertain. And this year has the potential to do just that.

The year kicks off with the annual Grant Wood Birthday Soup Smorgasbord held at the Eldon KD Center on Saturday, Feb 9 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to the exceptional soup prepared and served by the volunteers, along with the birthday cake and brownies, there will be a drawing for the winner of the American Gothic House print, framed with porch boards from the American Gothic House. To view the print and to buy raffle tickets click here: The American Gothic House Print.

On March 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. the American Gothic House Center will hold the first-ever Easter Egg Roll at our “White House.” Modeled after the time-honored event in Washington, D.C., where children roll eggs across the White House lawn, we hope it will become an annual tradition.

In April, the lecture series continues as Laural Ronk and Richard Miller of the Bluffs Art Council share the story of Grant Wood’s time in Council Bluffs and his painting of the Pioneer and Corn Room murals in Eugene Eppley’s Chieftain Hotel in the late 1920s. This mural has recently been discovered and provides a glimpse into the life of Grant Wood before his fame with American Gothic. Held at the Eldon Public Library on Sunday, April 14 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Also on the agenda in April is the Grant Wood bus trip on Saturday the 27th. The itinerary takes travelers from Eldon to Ames where stops will be made at Iowa State University Library, where two of Wood’s murals are displayed, a stroll through the Anderson Sculpture Garden and a tour of the Farm House Museum. The day will wrap up at the Reiman Gardens where Iowa landscape-themed gardens are the focus. For more information contact the American Gothic House Center at 641.652.3352 or email theamericangthichouse@gmaiul.com.

On Friday, May 24, a new exhibit “Parodies of a Portrait: American Gothic’s Place in Society” will be unveiled at the Center. American Gothic continues to be one of the most parodied paintings in the world. “Parodies of a Portrait” explores the history of these parodies and how this iconic painting is interpreted in society.

In June, in concert with American Gothic House Days in Eldon, the Center has a number of events on tap. On June 8 and 9, there will be an American Gothic House Art Contest open to anyone regardless of age. On Saturday, June 8, the American Gothic House 5K Walk/Run will be held and on Sunday, June 9, the American Gothic Bike Ride will take riders through a scenic ride of the Eldon area. Visit www.TheAmericanGothicHouse.net for more details.

To round out the last third of the year, the annual Volunteer Appreciation Potluck supper is scheduled for Sept. 28, the Children’s Gothic House Party on Oct. 26, a lecture by Rudolph Daniels “Trains Across Iowa” on Nov. 10 and Gingerbread House Building on Dec. 7.

As can be seen, this upcoming year holds much promise. Take note of these events, add them to your calendar (if you have one yet) and we hope to see you sometime in the future.

Now, as pledged, a couple of New Year quotes from the master cynic Mark Twain:

"Yesterday, everybody smoked his last cigar, took his last drink and swore his last oath. Today, we are a pious and exemplary community. Thirty days from now, we shall have cast our reformation to the winds and gone to cutting our ancient shortcomings considerably shorter than ever."

"New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual."

As good as these are, my personal favorite is not from my hero Twain, but from James Agate, English author and theatre critic:

“New Year's Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.”

Happy New Year!

Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

  

Who gets the money?

Every so often at the Center we field questions pertaining to the copyright, royalties and fees from American Gothic. This probably would not be of interest if the painting was obscure or only known within tight art circles. But since American Gothic is recognized and known far outside the art set, it is conceivable many would inquire as to who gets what from the reproduction (whether in parody form or original) from the original work.

In the past, when such a questions has been asked, we have responded that the copyright to American Gothic is held by the Figge Museum of Art (formerly Davenport Museum of Art) in Davenport, Iowa. And for the most part this is correct. However, a recently discovered blog prompted us to dig a bit deeper as to where royalties from American Gothic end up.

The blog—http://insroland.org/americangothic—made the claim that “every licensing fee for reproduction of her brother's masterpiece has been split between the Union Rescue Mission and the Riverside County Coalition for Alternatives to Domestic Violence,” both located in the area of Los Angeles, Calif. where Nan Wood Graham lived in her later years.

We did not doubt Nan named these organizations in her will and they did receive some benefits from American Gothic, it was the claim that “every licensing fee” was split between the two, implying these were the only recipients of any proceeds of the painting. In order to verify—or refute—this information a little detective work was in order.

Donning my rumpled Columbo overcoat and with a tip of my fedora I did what every capable modern-day sleuth does: write an email. The recipient was Robert Panzer, executive director of the Visual Arts and Galleries Association (VAGA), the organization that takes care of questions of copyright, licensing fees and the like under the umbrella of “art.” I sent him the blog in question and asked if he would shed some light on the subject. As suspected, he replied the blog was a bit misleading.

Mr. Panzer explained all copyrights to American Gothic are indeed held by the Figge Museum, however, there are other rights germane to Nan Wood Graham that are bit less cut and dried. An excerpt of his letter is as follows:

        "American Gothic is protected by two rights: Copyright and Right of Publicity.  Rights of Publicity are something like privacy rights, which individuals have  when it comes to the commercial use of their names, voices and likenesses… As I’m sure you know, Nan Wood Graham is portrayed in American Gothic and hence, if you want to reproduce AG in a commercial manner (such as on merchandise and in advertising) you would need to clear NWG’s rights of publicity.  Since Nan did not specifically mention rights of publicity in her will, these rights went to various beneficiaries named in her will that received the residuary of the will.  Residuary means anything that Nan owned that wasn’t detailed in the will.  There were a number of beneficiaries, with the Union Rescue Mission and the Riverside County Coalition for Alternatives to Domestic Violence being just two of them.  All the beneficiaries have hired VAGA to act as their licensing agent for clearing rights to AG for commercial uses.  Fees we collect for non-commercial uses of AG go to the Figge."

In case you are wondering a “non-commercial” use is think school textbooks as an example. Anyway, as can be seen, the rights to American Gothic are not exactly black and white.  As with anything that is born from the mind and reproduced, the monetary rights can be bit fuzzy. And with the passing of years it gets even fuzzier. It is reassuring, however, that proceeds from American Gothic, at least in part, go to a good cause.

In this same vein, Nan Wood Graham has taken numerous publications to task as to their depiction of American Gothic. To read a little about this, visit these links:
People Magazine
Hustler Article

Upcoming events at the American Gothic House Center:

Feb. 9 Grant Wood Birthday Soup Smorgasbord

The Center will be closed Tuesday, Jan 1 for New Year’s Day.

Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com


The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

Longing for a perfect world

If wrinkles must be written upon our brows, let them not be written upon the heart. The spirit should not grow old.
        -  President James A. Garfield
Normally, I prefer to reserve this place for something rather light, nothing serious or contentious as this world is already filled with too much of that. Today, however, the grievous event from last Friday prevents me from doing this. It is impossible to ignore.
In the aftermath of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., the above quote from James Garfield kept popping into my mind. I ran across it some time back and it struck me as words to live by, reminding me that life is good. Regardless what troubling situations come my way, no matter how disconcerting, it should not be allowed to damper the spirit. Although my mind may be troubled, my heart should remain constant and my spirit should remain young and soar on the wings of life. After last Friday, it has been much more difficult to believe this.
In life there are some things that are invariably written on the heart—good things—a kind word or gesture, the love of spouse or companion, or a magnificent sunrise that fills the soul with all the beauty and possibility of a new day. For a parent, the heart is forever stamped when holding a new-born son or daughter, and gazing for the first time into the wonder of life; touching the tiny fingers and toes, telling her for the first time how she is loved—only minutes old—while holding close the sweet pink bundle of life.
As time and years progress the handwriting on the heart continues. An “I love you, Mommy” spoken through tears and a trembling lip after a hug and a bandage following a sidewalk mishap. The pride of writing his name for the first time, of being able to read Green Eggs and Ham and asking you to make to make it for supper. The loss of a tooth and the magical appearance of a quarter beneath the pillow the next morning. “Did the tooth fairy really leave this, Daddy?” Words that long for answers to the wonders of the life that is unfolding before his eyes, every minute of every day. Words that were undoubtedly spoken by the 20 first-graders in Newtown.
Of course the early years can be thought of as the most precious, when life is new and exciting—for everyone—and before the teen years arrive, where life, at times, is trying but not without its moments. Unfortunately, the parents of the 20 first graders at Sandy Hook Elementary will never experience comforting that child as a sobbing teenage daughter suffering her first break-up (“it will be alright, honey”), or putting an arm around the shoulders of the son who just won the 100-meter dash, squeezing hard and saying “Good job, son.” A bullet ended this dream, not an accident, not a random act of nature, but an intentional act of violence that dashed hopes and dreams that will never be realized. An act so heinous, so disturbing, so inconceivable, that it can never be understood or accepted, and for ever—and ever—written on the heart.
As of last Friday, the spirit of parents, and grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and strangers like me grew older. The handwriting on the heart caused by the actions of a lone gunman is too heavy, too burdensome, to carry without affect. It is not the way it should be. In a perfect world a parent should never have to bury a child. But we live far from a perfect world. How unfortunate.

Endowment Fund Raffle
There is one matter of American Gothic House Center business that needs to be addressed today and that is the announcement of the raffle for the American Gothic House Center Endowment Fund.
As many of you know, the Center has been in the process of establishing an endowment fund through the Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation in the hopes someday fully funding the center to make it self-sufficient. This, of course, is years down the road, but every journey must start somewhere.
Recently, the endowment fund has been approved and the Center, as an initial act of raising money for the fund, has a print of the American Gothic House framed with original porch boards salvaged from the renovation from last summer. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 with the drawing held on Feb. 9 during the Grant Wood Birthday Soup Smorgasbord at KD Center in Eldon, Iowa. Click here to view the print and to purchase tickets.

Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
                                        wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com


The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

Hansel and Gretel never had it so good

Take away the spineless woodcarver, the nasty stepmother and the wicked witch, last Saturday the American Gothic House Center was a place where Hansel and Gretel would have been comfortable—and without the threat of being abandoned and eaten.

Not exactly lost in the woods, children from all over flocked to the Center to build their own Gingerbread House without fear of being shoved into a cage to fatten or thrown into an oven. Arguably the best way to build a gingerbread house.

For the whole of the afternoon children, along with their parents (who showed no signs of leaving them to fend for themselves as the father in the fairy tale did) streamed through the front doors and were met by a line of volunteers ready to dole out the building materials: graham crackers, a plethora of candy including gum drops, mints, life savers, chocolate chips, red hots, M&Ms, pretzels, marshmallows, and, of course, plenty of frosting.

A word needs to be said here about the frosting. Anyone who has had the pleasure of decorating a cake or cookies with small children knows that frosting can be problematic. Instead of being applied to the given confection in a neat and orderly fashion, many times the frosting gets sidetracked to a head of hair, stuck in an ear (especially of there is a brother and sister involved) or fed to the dog. In short, any spot but the intended one. Not so at the Center on Saturday. Instead, each child was issued a plastic bag full of frosting with the corner cut out just enough to lay a thin bead of frosting on the intended target leaving little or no mess. Amazing. Who ever came up with this idea should be nominated for the volunteer of the year, or just really smart person of the year.

Once the supplies were in hand the young builders found a place at one of the many tables scattered throughout the Center and began the task of constructing a unique gingerbread creation.

At times, especially among adults, there is a tendency to lump all children together. After all, they are just kids and there has not been enough years pass for them to develop and hone distinct personalities and skills. When watching these builders, however, nothing could be farther from the truth, as a unique personality and talent could be observed in each young engineer.

Some builders were ever-so-serious and strove for meticulous detail, going for quality over quantity as far as various accoutrements. Others wanted to make sure their house had as much candy stuck to it as possible, while others were more into landscaping, ensuring there was a paved candy sidewalk leading to the house and bushes made of lifesavers and topped with frosting. Could one of these children be the next Frank Lloyd Wright or Frederick Law Olmstead? Perhaps.

As with any activity involving young children, mounds of sticky frosting, dozens of pieces of candy and brittle graham crackers, it can be assured there would be plenty of work for the clean-up crew. Surprisingly—or perhaps not considering the organization of the event—with upwards to 70 children building houses, there was nothing left over except cracker dust and a few drops of errant frosting. As a bonus, nobody threatened to eat the children, as there were no wicked witches among the volunteers.

There is one other parallel to Grimm’s fairy tale. By the looks of the children leaving the Center with their house proudly displayed on the aluminum foil-covered cardboard with parents in tow—they very well could live happily ever after.


Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com


The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

An artist…and a teacher

 

After last week’s blog there was a measure of interest as to Grant Wood’s teaching career. How long did he teach, where at, etc., were some of the questions that I received. Since this blog (who invented this label?) is devoted to all things Grant Wood, I thought a brief outline of Wood’s reaching career would be in order.

After graduating high school in 1910 and following a short stint at the Arts and Craft Guild in Minneapolis, where he studied copper work and making jewelry, Wood returned to Cedar Rapids and obtained a teaching license in 1911 and taught at a country school in Rosedale for the 1911-12 school year. Evidently, he had further ambitions of being a teacher as, at the time, teaching at a country school qualified him to teach at a city school without benefit of a college education. Or maybe he just needed a job, who knows?

After his year at Rosedale there is little evidence Wood taught again until after his discharge from the army, when, in 1919, he applied for an art teacher position in the Cedar Rapids schools. He was selected and his first classroom was at Jackson Junior High School. He was a bit short on money to buy the standard clothes teaches wore, so he taught classes wearing his army uniform. There is no doubt that Wood was a novelty at the school with his OD-green garb, but no doubt the kids got a kick out of it.

Teaching must have been a good fit for him as he was soon moved up to the high school level and taught there until 1927—although there were a couple of breaks. One during the summer of 1920 (not really a break as school wasn’t held in the summer) when he traveled to Europe with Marvin Cone, another when he took a leave of absence from 1923-24 returning to Europe to study in Paris.

After his time at Cedar Rapids schools Wood parked his teaching hat for a time while he pursued being an artist (you may have heard of some of his more noted works such as American Gothic, etc.). He did, however, accept an invitation to teach at the University of Iowa in 1934 where he had a measure of success. According to the archives, Wood began as a temporary hire but soon matriculated into a full-time associate professor. The art department also benefitted, as enrollment increased from 550 to 750 after just one year.

His time at U of I wasn’t without conflict, however. Many of his colleagues, miffed by the fact that Wood did not have an art degree, questioned and criticized his work. And he had a running battle with the department as to how much time should be devoted to teaching art history versus the creative work required to earn a Master of Arts degree (Wood, of course, sided with the creative side). The tug-of-war caused Wood so much grief he threatened to quit, but instead took a leave of absence during the 1940-41 school year.

Wood did return to the university in 1941 with the full support of the administration but it was short lived, as Wood died the next year on Feb. 12, 1942. (Taken from http://www.wapellocounty.org/americangothic/educate/gwlife.htm.)

Stories abound of various artists, regardless of the genre, that become recluses and bury themselves in their profession, their art or literature. Given Wood’s subject matter of his paintings—real life Iowans, the landscapes, the rural way of life—it seems fitting that Wood chose teaching as a parallel career. In order to paint as he did, he would have to stay engaged with life, and what better way to do it than teach?

It is inherent in a teacher to want to connect with students, to explore their thoughts and ideas, engage their minds, and, in turn, this engagement stimulates their own thoughts and forms—over the years—a unique, and singular, worldview. I am sure Wood was no different, and this engagement impacted, in some way, his development into, and legacy as, a world-class artist. 

Upcoming events at the Center:

Don’t miss the Gingerbread House Building being held this Saturday, Dec. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. Plenty of volunteers and goodies will be on hand to fashion gingerbread creations for the holiday season.

Also this weekend is “Christmas in Eldon.” From Friday through Sunday, Eldon offers many activities including “Christmas in Wanderland” at the McHaffey Opera House where over 100 Christmas trees are on display. The Rock Island Depot will also be open and decked out for the holidays. Click here for a complete listing of activities in Eldon for the weekend.

Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641-652-3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com


The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

Change…frustrating yet necessary

Due to a rather nasty fall a couple of weeks ago (primary reason there hasn’t been a post for the past two weeks), I have been in a rather philosophical state of mind. Dwelling on the bigger picture if you will. Perhaps if this fall occurred when I was in my 20s it would not have had quite the effect on me as it does 30 years later, but, as is said, with age comes wisdom—or something like that. Whether this applies to me or not others will have to weigh in, but I do know that as I grow older, mortality looms large and the quest for wisdom more immediate.

I wasn’t going to write about this until I happened across a box titled “Iowa Artists” at the local library. In it were numerous small scrapbooks with four devoted to Grant Wood. The gray pages of these scrapbooks were cracked and the edges were flaking. Glued to these well-worn sheets were yellowed newspaper clippings spanning some 50 years, beginning in the 1930s. All were riveting (I love reading old newspapers) but one in particular caught my eye. It was an interview with Wood published in the Iowa City Press Citizen. The year was 1938.

At the time, Wood was a professor at the University of Iowa and the focus was why, with his fame as an artist firmly established, did he bother teaching. An excerpt of the article is as follows:

“Professor Wood was born in Iowa, and he knows Iowa. For four years he has been a professor at the University if Iowa. He paints Iowa because it is what he knows, and he teaches at the university, ‘for what I can get out of it.’”

“He does not mean the money. He gets something more important than money from teaching.

‘No artist,’ says Professor Wood, ‘can afford to lose contact with life. These students are the changing generation. If great changes are coming, they will live through them.

‘If I can maintain contact with the changing generation, I shall be able to change too. That’s the real reason I like teaching.’”

The article goes on and talks about what Wood was currently doing with his art, his illustrations in Sinclair Lewis’ “Main Street,” and how he got his sister to pose for “American Gothic,” all boilerplate stuff. So I went back to his thoughts about teaching and realized that his words were analogous with life. Words to live by, if you will.

Wood used teaching to stay connected with life. From my current philosophical point of view, even though I am not a teacher, I also should strive to connect with life, to stay in touch with the younger generation, or, as Wood puts it, the “changing generation.” Because if I stay in touch with those who are changing, I too can change. Survival of the fittest might apply here.

This, however, is not easy. We are in the age of instant access to information, the intense interest on sharing life with various Facebook “friends” and Twittering every random thought on any subject, everything I find unnecessary. But this is the face of the future. For many of us of a certain age this is hard to accept—at least it is for me. I really have no desire to post to my “friends” that I just had a Diet Coke, or my current status is “head stills hurts from fall.” But just because I am not going to be an active part of it doesn’t mean I should dismiss it. This is not only the future but the present. It’s baffling at times, but I can remember when my parents thought rock ‘n roll was a passing phase. That didn’t work out for so well for them.

I am going to do my best to adapt Wood’s words to the remainder of my life. Let’s hope I am wise enough to do so.

Upcoming attractions at the American Gothic House Center:

Dec. 1 – 14 Gingerbread House Display. Various Gingerbread Houses built by area residents on exhibit at the Center.

Dec. 8 Gingerbread House decorating from 1 to 4 p.m. An annual  tradition where volunteers help children of all ages construct their own Gingerbread House.

Dec. 7 – 9 Christmas in Eldon. Eldon had numerous holiday activities planned for the weekend including the “Christmas in Wanderland” at the McHaffey Opera House where over 100 Christmas trees are on display decorated by area residents. The railroad depot will be holding an open house where the lobby and outside area will be adorned with the holiday spirit. Other activities include a noon lunch and a Boy Scout soup supper. Click here for the schedule of events.

Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
American Gothic House Center
641.652.3352
641.799.2801

The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com

The original Photoshop

I never tire of explaining to folks about American Gothic, how it was conceived by Grant Wood on a visit to Eldon in 1930, who the people in the painting are, and the fact Nan Wood Graham and Dr. McKeeby never posed in front of the house, or even together.

This last detail seems to take many by surprise, not because it is alarming news, just not expected. However, a unique response recently to this information gave me pause, as I had never considered it before.

In a conversation with a friend during a lull in the University of Iowa football game last week, the subject of American Gothic was raised. He knew I worked at the Center and asked about the house and the painting. When I told him who the man and the woman were, and they had posed separately, he exclaimed, “It’s the original Photoshop!” 

As many—or most—realize, Photoshop is both a noun and a verb. Photoshop the noun is the computer program that allows photos to be enhanced and processed. To photoshop is the act of enhancing the picture. Many times adding images that were not in the original photo, or compiling numerous images to produce an image which never existed at all. It is also in our vernacular when doubting the authenticity of a photo, such as “it’s been photoshopped.”

Prime examples of photoshopping an image are the countless parodies of American Gothic on magazine covers, in advertisements, or many other numerous venues, as well as the displays here at the Center. Many—most—are satirical in nature, meant to poke fun or drive home a point.

When pressed, Grant Wood insisted American Gothic was not a satire of Iowans. Although many at the time believed it was and he suffered the wrath of many farm wives who were convinced he was poking fun at them, despite his denial. However, given the statement from my friend, I revisited the original intent of the painting applying modern-day terminology and logic.

Since many well-known American Gothic parodies are photoshopped, and since—according to my friend—the original painting was photoshopped, could the original, in fact, be a parody of life in the Midwest, and Iowa in particular? Applying logic, since many parodies are satirical did Grant Wood actually intend to poke fun at Iowans with American Gothic?

This is highly unlikely as Photoshop did not exist in 1930. Or did it? Not by the same name, of course, but perhaps the idea was tossed around, one never knows. (Things like this seem to occupy space in my mind when I could be devoting more attention to really important issues like world peace, which isn’t going to happen anyway so I might as well waste my time pondering this.)

Nevertheless, the remark from my friend was spot-on, given what Photoshop is and how it has become part of our lexicon. It is a safe bet that Grant Wood never had Photoshop in mind when creating American Gothic, but that is exactly what he did. Face it, the guy was ahead of his time.

Remember, One week from today on Nov. 15, Larry Stone will present “Iowa—Portrait of the Land” at the Eldon Library Hall at 7 p.m.


Brian Chambers
Media Coordinator
The American Gothic House Center
641.652.3352
wapellocountymediacoordinator@gmail.com
The American Gothic House Center strives to become financially independent through gift shop revenue, sponsorships, and by establishing an endowment fund. Funds raised in this campaign will be used to match the Iowa Cultural Trust Endowment Challenge Grant and will become endowment funds to support the Center's annual operations. As a subscriber to the weekly newsletter, you have already shown support for the American Gothic House Center. I invite you to strengthen your role in the valuable experience we provide the community by making a contribution to our fund drive. Click here to give your tax deductible gift, or head to our website for more information. Thank you to all who have donated so far!

        Our Mission: Integrating the puzzle pieces of American Gothic

300 American Gothic St | Eldon, IA 52554 | 641-652-3352 | theamericangothichouse@gmail.com